JOSE Rizal University wasted a double-digit lead and had to ward off Cagayan Valley in overtime, 103-100, for its second win in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup on Tuesday at Emilio Aguinaldo College gym.
Down by 17 at the end of third, 60-77, Cagayan Valley went on a huge rally led by Ping Exciminiano, who poured in 16 of his 29 points in the final canto. The Rising Suns pounded the Heavy Bombers with 34 points in the final period to force overtime at 94-all.
Tied at 96 with 1:38 left to play in overtime, Byron Villarias knocked down a triple to break the tie and take the driver's seat, 99-96, en route to their second win in seven games.
"Cagayan gave us a hard time," said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. "Last time we didn't play our usual game, nagkanya-kanya kami, pero ngayon they (Bombers) played their game."
Philip Paniamogan came up with 26 points, while Dexter Maiquez and John Pinto added 14 and 10, respectively for JRU.
Exciminiano finished with a game-high 29 points, Eliud Poligrates chipped in 24, Mark Bringas added 16 and 11 rebounds and Andrian Celada contributed 11 for Cagayan (4-3).
The scores:
JRU 103: Paniamogan 26, Maiquez 14, Pinto 10, Villarias 9, Apinan 9, Ighalo 8, Del Rio 8, Lopez 5, Miranda 5, Caperal 4, Mabulac 3, Almario 2, Acidre 0
Cagayan 100: Exciminiano 29, Poligrates 24, Bringas 16, Celada 11, Forrester 9, Webb 6, Melano 5, cruz 0, Gusi 0, Bartolo 0, Chiong 0, Lao 0, Almazan 0
Quarterscores: 25-14, 50-45, 77-60, 94-94, 103-100
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